And just like there are lots of different types of single parents in real life — as well as parents in general — there are lots of different types on TV as well. Being a single parent is hard work, and some of them fare better than others. In honor of this holiday, I've rounded up eleven TV characters that spring to mind when I think about single parenthood. They're not all perfect, of course. Most of them are flawed. Some of them are downright awful. You'll find those towards the end of the list. But perfect parents aren't realistic, and they don't make for good TV. Is there anyone I missed? Tell us your favorites (or your least favorites) in the comments.

How could I not start with Lorelai? She had a baby at 16 and raised her to be a responsible young woman who attended Yale and managed to not make the same mistakes as her mom. Sure, Rory also had terrible taste in men and stole a yacht at one point, but overall she was the kind of kid to be proud of. Plus, Lorelai managed to do that whole “I'm your mom and your best friend” thing without being like Dina Lohan.

If we put Bob Saget's real-life grossness out of our minds, widower Danny Tanner was the quintessential '90s dad. I haven't watched the show in a while, but all those life lessons were very important to me as a kid. We'll just ignore the fact that he needed help from his mullety brother-in-law and creepy comedian friend.

3. Rufus Humphrey, Gossip Girl

(via)

Oh, Rufus Humphrey. You raised the two most insufferable characters on that show, but I still couldn't help but love you and want you to adopt me. Mostly because you made waffles for breakfast. Every day. EVERY SINGLE DAY. Bless you.

You could argue that Sarah's daughter Kira, who lives with Sarah's former foster mother, isn't really the point of this show about cloning and general badassness. But I think her devotion to Kira is extremely important to her character, because it makes all of the questionable things Sarah does more forgivable, since she's doing it all to give her daughter a better life. Plus she has a great British accent that I'd love my mom to have.

5. Louis CK, Louie

(via)

I'm not even a parent, and even I feel like I can relate to Louie's experiences as a divorced dad. He's just generally exhausted and unsure of himself and constantly screws up, and he uses his trials and tribulations raising his daughters as material in his stand-up. But I defy you to watch that duckling episode and not have your heart warmed.

The above GIF really is Michael Bluth in a nutshell. If I had to choose anyone in the Bluth family to be my parent, it would definitely be him, but that doesn't mean he has everything under control. Like when he couldn't remember his son's girlfriend's name (Her?) or then later when they accidentally shared the same girlfriend? Awkward.

I am just so enamored of Julia Louis-Dreyfus' portrayal of Christine because she's such an absolute mess of a mother, but she's still extremely likable. She might not know where in the world her son is at any given time, but at least she's absolutely hilarious while she does it.

8. Dexter Morgan, Dexter

(via)

Ugh, my heart. Dexter and little Harrison were just about the cutest father-son pairing ever. Unfortunately daddy also happened to be a serial killer. But ohmygod they're so cute look at them ahhhh.

I'd personally prefer to watch a totally Grimes-less version of The Walking Dead, because that whole family just rubs me the wrong way. But even I'll admit that Rick and Carl's father-son bonding and tension and bonding and tension after Lori's death will be remembered for a long time. And raising a kid during a zombie apocalypse can't be easy, so I'll give him credit.

10. Norma Bates, Bates Motel

(via)

Now we're definitely getting into “Oh my goodness, somebody take custody away” territory. As amazing and compelling and occasionally sympathetic as Vera Farmiga's performance is, she is ultimately creating on of our most famous fictional murderers. And I'd say covering up a murder together (and then letting your kid watch you change clothes) isn't exactly the healthiest mother-son bonding experience.

GET OUT OF HERE DON DRAPER. Nobody likes you. We didn't like you when you were a married parent, we didn't like you when you were a single parent, we didn't like you when you were a remarried parent, and we won't like you when you're… whatever you are now. But will we remember you? Sadly, yes. #PoorSally